M. Lawal, F. Adzitey, JA Ayamdoo, Y. Damba, RD Zakaria
{"title":"Food safety knowledge and practices among university students in the northern region of Ghana","authors":"M. Lawal, F. Adzitey, JA Ayamdoo, Y. Damba, RD Zakaria","doi":"10.4314/jafs.v21i1.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/jafs.v21i1.6","url":null,"abstract":"Food safety knowledge and practices are necessary for eliminating food borne diseases, however, there is a scarcity of information on food safety knowledge and practices among young adults in the Northern Region of Ghana. This research was therefore aimed at assessing the food safety knowledge and practices of university students in the Northern region of Ghana and to determine if any relationship exists between their food safety knowledge and practices and their socio-demographic and academic characteristics A cross-sectional study was carried out where data was collected from 397 randomly selected students of the University for Development Studies and Tamale Technical University using a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS V20. Results showed that 54.4% had good level of food safety knowledge, 38.5% had moderate level of food safety knowledge and 7.1% had poor levels of food safety knowledge. Similarly, students also showed 46.3%, 39.3% and 14.4% levels of good, moderate and poor food safety practices, respectively. The department and level of study significantly influenced (P < 0.05) the food safety knowledge of participants, however no demographic characteristics influenced (P > 0.05) the food safety practices of the participants. The findings from this study suggest the need for increased effort on how to guide students to translate their food safety knowledge into practice. Innovative and creative approaches should be applied to food safety education to increase practice since the students showed good food safety knowledge than food safety practice.","PeriodicalId":11865,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences","volume":"6 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81659723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Financial performance of soybean farmers in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria","authors":"CC BY-NC","doi":"10.4314/jafs.v21i1.9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/jafs.v21i1.9","url":null,"abstract":"Soybeans is versatile in usage but the yield is low. To sustain and improve its production, its financial performance, given the resource-poor status of rural farmers, is greatly important. Credit access is sine qua non in this direction. Hence, the study assessed credit access and financial performance of soybeans farmers in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Stratified sampling technique was used to select 119 farmers who either had or did not have credit access. This reflects a quasi-experimental design where the treatment and control groups comprised farmers with and without credit access, respectively. Primary data were obtained with structured questionnaire and analysed with frequency distribution and financial ratios such as gross margin, operating ratio and return on investment. Independent samples ttest was used to ensure that any observed difference was due to error of randomization. Findings show that majority of the farmers lacked credit access (60.50%). The mean gross margin per hectare was significantly (p < 0.01) higher for the treatment group (N264,753.90 ± 12,597.15) than the control group (N152,412.60 ± 4,773.53). The mean return on investment per hectare was also significantly (p < 0.01) higher for the treatment group (3.06 ± 0.29) than the control group (2.13 ± 0.10). Therefore, soybean production was adjudged to be profitable and significantly influenced by credit access. It was recommended that financial institutions and the export promotion council should make credit available to soybeans farmers. ","PeriodicalId":11865,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences","volume":"159 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77145207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Edwin Peter Chang, M. E. Abdallh, E. U. Ahiwe, M. Al-Qahtani, S. Mbaga, P. Iji
{"title":"Response of Broiler Chickens Fed Different Forms of Tanzania-type Diets with Microbial Enzymes","authors":"Edwin Peter Chang, M. E. Abdallh, E. U. Ahiwe, M. Al-Qahtani, S. Mbaga, P. Iji","doi":"10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.4.695","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.4.695","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000A study was conducted to assess the effect of feed form and microbial enzyme supplementation on performance, endogenous enzyme activities and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens fed Tanzania-type diets. A total of 480 day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were allocated to a 2 (mash or pellet) × 4 (no enzyme, Axtra XB, Quantum Blue or Axtra XB + Quantum Blue) factorial arrangement, in a completely randomized design with 10 birds per replicate. Feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined at 10, 24 and 35 days of age. Visceral organ weight was measured at 10 d and 24 d, and meat parts yield was assessed at 35 d. Feed intake (FI) was highest in birds fed the pelleted diets at 24 d and 35 d, and it was increased further when enzymes were supplemented individually and in combination. Body weight gain was comparatively higher in the birds fed pelleted diets. Enzyme supplementation was found to increase BWG at 24 d and 35 d. The FCR was reduced in birds fed the pelleted diets compared to the mash-fed birds. Birds provided with a combination of Axtra XB and QB responded with lower FCR. The relative weight of gizzard plus proventriculus, pancreas and small intestine were higher in birds fed on mash; however, the effect of enzymes was only observed on the pancreas at 10 d. The relative weights of most body parts (breast, thighs and drumsticks) were significantly higher in birds fed pelleted diets with inclusion of microbial enzymes. The dry matter (DM) digestibility was neither affected by feed form nor by enzyme supplementation while the digestibility of gross energy (GE), starch, protein, and fat were higher in birds fed pelleted diets than those on mash. Addition of microbial enzymes positively influenced the digestibility of all nutrients that were assessed. Endogenous enzyme activities at 10 d were higher in birds supplied with pelleted diets, except for sucrase, which was not affected by feed form. Exogenous enzyme inclusion in diets only affected the activities of sucrase and aminopeptidase at 24 d. The results indicated that both pelleting of diets and microbial enzyme supplementation increased FI and BWG and improved FCR in broiler chickens. The activities of pancreatic and most of the jejunal enzymes were increased by feeding of pelleted feeds, resulting in better nutrient digestibility.\u0000","PeriodicalId":11865,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86623061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Early Growth Response of Khaya senegalensis Seedlings to Water Requirement","authors":"J. Yisau, Abass Rebecca Adesewa, Emilimor Patience Ndidi, Majomi Aghorghor Agnes","doi":"10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.4.687","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.4.687","url":null,"abstract":"Water availability in quantity and quality is an important factor required during growth, development and for nursery seedling productivity. The study determined the response of Khaya senegalensis seedlings to water requirement and it effect on the growth. Levels of water required was determined by subjecting seedlings to four watering frequencies vis-à-vis Daily watering, watering every two days, watering every four days and once a week. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized design (CRD) and parameters such as stem height, collar diameter, leaf area, leaf number were collected fortnightly while, dry weight, fresh weight, root to shoot ratio, root length, root weight, shoot length, turgidity weight and relative water content were evaluated after Twelve (12) weeks of growth. Data collected was subjected to One Way Analysis of Variance on SAS software and significant means was separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). From the result, morphological variables such as collar diameter (10.80mm), number of leaf (32.77), leaf area (403.65 cm2) were significantly (p<0.05) increased in seedlings with highest requirement for water (daily watering). Also, physiological variables such as dry weight (17.35 g), fresh weight (36.28 g), turgid weight (47.93 g), root weight (14.02 g) and shoot weight (24.38 g) increased significantly (p<0.05) in seedling water daily. The early growth of Khaya senegalensisseedlings was enhanced due to availability of soil water in response to its requirement.","PeriodicalId":11865,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87569553","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Potential Use of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes), to Reduce Production Cost in Tilapia Culture at Small and Median Scale","authors":"J. Reyes, Henry Alegria","doi":"10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.4.680","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.4.680","url":null,"abstract":"Tilapia farming is increasing in the US, Mexico and other countries; but anywhere, the cost of food is the big problem. Therefore, to reduce production costs, the water hyacinth aquatic plant, was used as a food supplement. Dehydrated water hyacinth was assorted with cane molasses and anaerobically fermented with (Lactobacillus sp.). The fermented product was mixed with cornmeal and commercial food (Purina®), at proportions of 30-20-50 respectively. Then mixture was extruded and dried, to be used as a feed supplement for tilapia. Juveniles tilapia between 5-7 g were obtained from a commercial hatchery and fed with Purina®, until fishes reached 24-26 g; then, tilapias were separated into two groups; the experimental and the control groups. The experimental group, 40 tilapias, was transferred to a 4032 L pond, while control group,15 tilapias were distributed in 5 ponds of 300 L; in this way, the socking density was around (10 fish/m3) in all ponds. The experimental group was fed with water hyacinth supplemented food, while the control group with Purina®. Tilapia from both groups were weighed every 2 weeks for 3 months; moreover, the water quality parameters pH, O2, T (oC), TSS and total ammonia were recorded in all the ponds. To know the tilapia growth from both groups, several growth parameters, such as: weight gain, relative growth rate, feed conversion ratio and specific growth rate were calculated. Results showed that tilapia weight gain fed with supplemented water hyacinth food, was 8.6 % higher than tilapias fed, with Purina®. Also, the food cost of tilapias fed with water hyacinth supplemented feed, were 15.37 % lower than tilapia fed with Purina®. Therefore, it can be concluded that tilapia aquaculture at small and medium scale, can developed satisfactorily using water hyacinth supplemented feed.","PeriodicalId":11865,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences","volume":"43 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82528237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Determination of Some Flour Characteristics","authors":"Olga Popovska","doi":"10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.4.683","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.4.683","url":null,"abstract":"Food based on cereals especially the flour as an end product has been frequently consumed all over the world. Different types of commercially available flour (wheat, oat, corn, rye, integral rye flour) were tested for several characteristics such as magnetic, microscopic, testing of carbonates in flour with hydrochloric acid and oxalic acid, determination of gluten content, pH value, moisture content, foam capacity, flour colour analysis and FT-IR analysis. The microscopic analysis with an optical microscope showed the structural properties of each flour type. The results show that colour indexes represented with values of L*, a*, and b* showed good correlation in the evaluation of milling precision and flour grading (maximum value for wheat flour, L* was 86.921). The FT-IR analysis showed the main peaks in the region of C-H, N-H, and C-N bonds. The proposed methods are easy to be handled for rapid determination of several flour characteristics such as pH value, moisture and gluten content, parameters directly connected to storage quality. Application of available less cost methods for determination of certain parameters for safety use of flour products.","PeriodicalId":11865,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72842284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Ghosh, Md. Rezaul Karim, Farah Ulfat Rahman Orpita, Mst. Lamia Jahan, Farjana Simi, Md. Almas Ahmed Sony
{"title":"Exploring Farmers Perspectives on Modern Agricultural Technology: A Study in Chapainawabganj District","authors":"M. Ghosh, Md. Rezaul Karim, Farah Ulfat Rahman Orpita, Mst. Lamia Jahan, Farjana Simi, Md. Almas Ahmed Sony","doi":"10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.4.689","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.4.689","url":null,"abstract":"Modern technologies are becoming more essential to long-term agricultural development, since technologies empower farmers to increase productivity while implementing fewer natural resources to meet the global need for food, fuel, and fiber. This study investigates the attitudes of farmers in Chapainawabganj district, Bangladesh, towards modern agricultural technology, with a focus on socio-demographic characteristics, technology usage, and their relationship to attitudes. The research was conducted in four upazilas: Nachol, Shibganj, Bholahat, and Chapainawabganj Sadar. A sample of 200 farmers was randomly selected. The socio-demographic data reveals that most respondents are in their forties, have completed primary education, have small families, earn a moderate income, own marginal farms, possess their own land, and have around 20 years of farming experience. However, they lack training and have limited exposure and knowledge about current agricultural technology. The findings indicate that farmers in the research area use a limited number of modern technologies, such as paddy threshers, tractors, water pumps, engine sprayers, power tillers, modern ploughs, and hybrid crops. Despite this, farmers exhibit an enthusiastic attitude toward technology adoption, with the majority expressing moderately favorable attitudes. The study identifies bias among authorities, insufficient government support, and a lack of training facilities as significant barriers to the adoption of modern technology. Furthermore, a correlation study reveals a positive association between cosmopoliteness, innovativeness, and farmers' knowledge and their attitude. These findings provide valuable insights into the factors influencing farmers' attitudes towards modern agricultural technology and can inform interventions to promote its adoption in the region.","PeriodicalId":11865,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences","volume":"30 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73286425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluation of Food Safety Awareness, Knowledge and Practice among Sudanese University Students","authors":"A. Mohammed, Adil M. A. Salman, Nahid M. T. Fawi","doi":"10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.4.678","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.4.678","url":null,"abstract":"This study was conducted in Khartoum-Sudan between October 2021 and February 2022 to evaluate the extent to which university students in Khartoum State are concerned about food safety. It also assessed their knowledge and practice in food microbiology, preparation, storage, and hygiene, and the effect of gender on food safety awareness, Knowledge, and practice. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect data from 400 students representing four colleges: veterinary, dentistry, banking, and languages (each 100 questionnaires). The questionnaire was divided into three sections: demographic characteristics, practice, and knowledge. Practice and knowledge took three values: good (65%-100%), fair (46%-65%) poor (<45%). The overall results of participants were fair in food handling practice (54.9±21.6) and poor in food safety knowledge (40.9±11.8). The results revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in food safety practice and knowledge among gender; the female got higher scores, since they are responsible for the kitchen in the Sudanese daily life. The result also revealed that the health-related students had got higher scores in food safety knowledge since their study program was related to food microbiology and safety. In conclusion, Sudanese students need more education and awareness concerning food safety measures.","PeriodicalId":11865,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences","volume":"114 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79225871","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
O. Opoku, J. Hamidu, B. Adjei-Mensah, B. Quaye, V. Benante, M. A. Amankrah, Armstrong Donkor, C. C. Atuahene
{"title":"Farmers and Consumers Awareness and Acceptance of the Novel Practice of Utilizing Insect Protein as an Alternative Protein Source in Poultry Feed: A Survey","authors":"O. Opoku, J. Hamidu, B. Adjei-Mensah, B. Quaye, V. Benante, M. A. Amankrah, Armstrong Donkor, C. C. Atuahene","doi":"10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.3.673","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.3.673","url":null,"abstract":"The use of insect protein as an alternative protein source in poultry feed has gained significant attention due to its potential benefits in terms of sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and reduced reliance on traditional protein sources. However, the adoption of this novel practice in the poultry industry may depend on awareness creation for farmers as healthy feed for poultry into the human food chain. This study aims to investigate poultry farmers' awareness and readiness to adopt insect protein as an alternative protein source for poultry. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using structured questionnaires administered to 177 poultry farmers and consumers in the Ashanti and Bono regions of Ghana by simple randomisation. The survey collected data on farm size, feed dynamics, protein sources, and awareness and readiness to adopt insect protein as a protein source in poultry feed. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics in the form of percentages and graphs. The study found that 75% of the farmers interviewed had a farm capacity of over 1,000 birds, making them medium to large-scale commercial farmers. However, the feed formulated was not always balanced. Some farmers fed an excess of the required protein levels. Furthermore, while 52% of farmers had knowledge of the insect as an alternative protein source only 3.8% were willing to adopt it. Additionally, 82.5% of the consumers are willing to patronise insect-fed-derived meat with the insect protein qualifying as an organic product. The study concludes that awareness of the use of insects as protein for poultry is important. There is a need to increase research on the benefits of insects to address meat and egg quality and benefits.","PeriodicalId":11865,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89131444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Sultana, Md. Enamul Haque, M. S. I. Afrad, G. Rahman, Md. Abiar Rahman
{"title":"Farmers’ Perception towards Forest Ecosystem Services and Human Well-being","authors":"S. Sultana, Md. Enamul Haque, M. S. I. Afrad, G. Rahman, Md. Abiar Rahman","doi":"10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.3.691","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24018/ejfood.2023.5.3.691","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Bandarban hill district is one of the main hilly areas of Bangladesh which is surrounded by forests and enriched with ecological resources and biodiversity. Ecosystems sustain, generate for, regulate, and offer cultural services that are essential to human well-being. Hence, it is important to reconnoiter the current situation of forests’ ecosystem services available in the Bandarban hill district with the local farmers’ realization of the well-being they receive from those ecosystem services. Through the present study, it was investigated the available ecosystem resources in some two hilly upazilas of Bandarban district, the farmers’ perception towards those ecosystem services and human well-being and also farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics which influence their perception. To investigate these, 80 respondents were interviewed through the help of a semi structured interview schedule. The findings of the study suggested that 28 ecosystem services were identified and six out of these were showing increasing trend including crop and vegetable cultivation and other 22 were following decreased. The respondents received improve to moderate services from those 28 ecosystem services which were exhibited through their perception as 68% of them had moderate to improve perception towards ecosystem services. According to the study's findings, respondents who had higher levels of education, family income, agricultural training, residential distance from forests, and income from ecosystem services had better perceptions of ecosystem services and human well-being. Because the residents' perceptions would make them aware of the need to conserve the forest environment, policymakers should base future decisions on the findings of this study.\u0000","PeriodicalId":11865,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences","volume":"45 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85424131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}